Adjustable support for kickstand

ABSTRACT

A kickstand for a two-wheeled vehicle has its support adjustable in accordance with the size of the vehicle. The support comprises two telescoping members and a unique clamping arrangement holding the members in engagement with each other through the clamp engaging both members.

U Unlted States Patent 1 1 3,647,242 Pawsat et al. 5] Mar. 7, 1972 [54]ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT FOR 2,340,300 2/1944 Booth at al. ..287/58 KICKSTAND583,573 6/1897 Harris et al. ..280/298 874,446 12/1907 Slater 287/58 UXInventors: Carlton Pawsat; Robert Humlong, 2,702,222 2/1955 Puls et a1.....248/l88.5 both of Maysville, Ky. 2,710,207 6/ 1955 Mueller ..287/58[73] Assignee: Wald Manulaeturing Company, lncor- 5 332: al Maysvlle'2,893,765 7/1959 Lyon ..287/58 [22] F'led: 1970 FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 656,206 8/1951 Great Britain ..280/298 An Data PrimaryExaminer-Kenneth H. Betts I63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 853,786,Aug. 28, Attorney-Kinney and Schenk 1969, abandoned.

[57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. ..280/298, 248/188.5, 287/58 CT A kickstandfor a two wheeled vehicle has its Support adjusub IIPL ble in accordanceh Size f the vehicle The pp [58] new of Search ..280/301,304,298,293,150.5, comprises two telescoping members and a unique clamping 280/150A; 287/58 CT; 248/ 1 41 11 295 arrangement holding the members inengagement with each other through the clamp engaging both members. [56]References Cited 24 Claims, 22 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAR H9123,647,242

SHEET 1 [1F 3 INVENTORS CARLTON P. PAWSAT ROBERT F. HUMLON'G A TTOR/VEX! PATENTEDMAR 11972 SHEET 3 [IF 3 INVENTORS CARLTON P. PAWSAT ROBERT F.HUMLONG ax 3/ E larron wsrs ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT FOR KICKSTAND This is acontinuation-in-part of our patent application Ser. No. 853,786 filedAug. 28, 1969, now abandoned.

The sizes and designs of bicycles and other two-wheeled vehicles varysubstantially. To obtain the economy of mass production, it is desirablethat a single kickstand be capable of supporting two-wheeled vehicles ofvarious designs and sizes.

Because of the varying sizes and designs, the length of the supportmeans for the kickstand cannot be the same for all sizes of bicycles,for example, if the same length of support is utilized for various sizesof bicycles, the bicycle will be supported at an undesired angle evenwhen the support bracket for the kickstand can be adjusted.

The present invention satisfactorily overcomes the foregoing problem byemploying a telescoping support means for the kickstand in which thelength of the support means is readily adjusted in accordance with thesize of the bicycle. Thus, a single kickstand may be readily employedwith bicycles of various sizes.

By utilizing a unique locking arrangement between the telescopingmembers of the support means for the kickstand, the present inventioninsures that there is no possibility of any slippage between thetelescoping members even when subjected to the heavy load of the vehiclebeing supported. This is accomplished by having a clamp, which is partof the locking means, engage both of the telescoping members so as to beclamped to both members directly.

To increase the frictional contact between the telescoping members, someembodiments of the present invention contemplate roughing the contactingsurfaces of the telescoping members. In one embodiment, each of thecontacting surfaces has grooves formed therein to form an interlockingconnection therebetween; and in another embodiment, each of thecontacting surfaces are noncircular.

An object of this invention is to provide a kickstand having anadjustable support means.

Another object of this invention is to provide a unique clampingarrangement for locking telescoping members to each other.

Other objects of this invention will be readily perceived from thefollowing description, claims, and drawings.

The attached drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention,in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one form of a telescoping supportmeans for a kickstand with the fork of a bicycle frame shown in phantom;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the support means of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a portion of thesupport means of FIG. 2 and illustrating the locking arrangement betweenthe telescoping members of the support means;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view, partly in plan, of the locking arrangementbetween the telescoping members of the support means of FIG. I and takenalong line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of one of the telescoping membersof the support means of FIG. land the clamping means for locking thetelescoping members of the support means to each other;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view, similar to FIG. 3, showing a portion ofthe embodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view, partly in section, similar to FIG. 2, butshowing another embodiment of the telescoping support means of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a portion of one of the telescopingmembers of the support means of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a portion of the other of the telescopingmembers of the support means of FIG. 7 and showing the clamp;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view, partly in plan, of the locking arrangementbetween the telescoping members of the support means of FIG. 7 and takenalong line 10-10 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is an elevational view, similar to FIG. 9, of a portion of thelower telescoping member of another modification of the. support meansof the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an elevational view, similar to FIG. 8, showing a portion ofan upper telescoping member for the support means for use with the lowertelescoping member of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view, taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 1 1; and

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is an elevational view showing another embodiment of thetelescoping support means of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is an elevational view, partly in section of a portion of thesupport means of FIG. 15 and illustrating the locking arrangementbetween the telescoping members of the support means;

FIG. 17 is an elevational view of a portion of one of the telescopingmembers of the support means of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the other of the telescoping members ofthe support means of FIG. 15 and showing the clamp;

FIG. 19 is an elevational view of the telescoping member of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a sectional view, partly in plan, of the locking arrangementbetween the telescoping members of the support means of FIG. 15 taken online 20-20 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along line 21-21 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along line 22-22 of FIG. 18.

Referring to the drawings and particularly FIG. 1, there is shown akickstand 10 for supporting a two-wheeled vehicle such as a bicycle, forexample. The kickstand is detachably connected to lower rear forkmembers 14 and 16 of the frame of a bicycle that is to be supported bythe kickstand.

The kickstand has a bracket 18 that is supported by the rear forkmembers 14 and 16 by means ofa plate 65, having wings 74 and 76, securedto said bracket by bolts 55 and a nut 61 in the manner more particularlyshown and described in our copending patent application entitledKickstand for Two- Wheeled Vehicle, Ser. No. 843,308 filed July 22,I969. The bracket 18 of the kickstand pivotally mounts telescopingsupport means 26 of the present invention for movement between a vehiclesupporting position in which the support means engages the ground tosupport the bicycle (This is the position shown in FIG. 1.) and aretracted position in which the support means is disposed so that itdoes not interfere with the pedal movement of the bicycle.

Since the mounting arrangement of the support means on the bracket 18 isold in the art and does not constitute a part of this invention, it willnot be described in detail herein. This type of mounting arrangement isshown and described in our aforesaid copending application.

The support means 26 includes an upper rod or leg 38, a lower hollow rodor leg 40, and securing means 46 for connecting the hollow rod 40 to theupper solid rod 38. The lower hollow rod is slidably mounted on theupper rod so that they are in a telescoping arrangement with each otherto change the length of the support means 26 in accordance with the sizeand/or design of the bicycle. Furthermore, when used with the kickstanddisclosed in our aforesaid copending application, the position of thebracket 18 on the fork members 14 and I6 necessitates that the length ofthe support means 26 be varied.

As shown in FIG. 5, the hollow rod or leg 40 has a longitudinal slit oropening 42 extending along its entire length, and an open or cutawayarea 44 therein adjacent its upper end.

The securing means comprises a clamp 46 which surrounds the lower hollowrod 40 in the portion having the cutaway area 44 therein. Thus, when theopposite ends of the clamp 46 are moved into engagement with each otherthrough a bolt 48 and a nut 50, the clamp engages the upper rod 38 atareas 52 and 54 as shown in FIG. 4. The inner surface of the clamp alsoengages the lower hollow rod 40 in the area of the cutaway area 44.

Accordingly, the clamp 46 locks the telescoping members 38 and 40 toeach other by reason of the clamp engaging with portions of both theupper and lower rods. This insures that there is no slippage, accidentalor intentional, of the lower rod 40 relative to the upper rod 38 or ofthe clamp 46 relative to either of the rods when the kickstand issupporting a bicycle or the like.

Any necessary adjustment of the length of the support means 26 is easilyaccomplished through releasing the clamp 46 from engagement with therods 38 and 40 by unscrewing the nut 50 from the bolt 48 and thensliding the lower rod 40 and the clamp 46 relative to the upper rod 38.In the phantom line position of FIG. 2, the support means 26 is shown inan extended position in which it has a greater length in comparison withits solid line position.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is shown a support means 60 which issimilar to the support means 26 in that an upper rod or leg 62 has alower hollow rod or leg 64 slidably mounted thereon so that the rods 62and 64 are in a telescoping arrangement. A clamp 66 secures the rods toeach other in the same manner as the clamp 46 secures the rods 38 and 40to each other.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 6-10, the outer surface of the upper rod 62has a longitudinal area in its lower portion formed with depressions 68,which form a roughened surface. The depressions 68 may be formed by anysuitable means such as a punch mark, for example. The depressions 68 aredisposed only on the lower portion of the upperrod 62 and only in alongitudinal area that engages the lower rod 64. This area extends forless than half of the circumference of the upper rod 62.

As shown in FIG. 9, the inner surface of the lower rod 64 hasdepressions 70 in its upper portion. The depressions 70, which form aroughened surface on the lower rod 64, extend for only'a short length ofthe upper portion of the rod 64 and are disposed only in a longitudinalarea in which the depressions 68 of the upper rod 62 will engage. Thisarea extends for less than half of the circumference of the lower rod64. Accordingly,: when the depressions 70 of the lower rod 64 are inengagement with each other as shown in FIG. 10, and increased frictionalcontact is formed therebetween.

As shown in FIG. 7, the lower rod 64 is formed with a wide longitudinalopening 72, which extends the length of the lower rod 64, and has acutaway area 73 therein adjacent its upper end.

Accordingly, the clamp 66 engages much larger areas of the upper rod 62in this embodiment than the clamp 46 engages on the upper rod 38 in theembodiment of FIGS. I to 5. Because of the increased size of thelongitudinal opening 72, the cutaway area 73 results in the lower rod 64embracing only approximately half of the circumference of the upper rod62 (see FIG. 10) in the area in which the clamp 66 engages against areas75 and 78 of the upper rod 62. However, the increased friction betweenthe rods 62 and 64 due to the depressions 68 and 70 insures that thereis ample engagement between the upper rod 62 and the lower rod 64despite the reduced areas of the contacting surfaces.

Any necessary adjustment of the length of the support means 60 is easilyaccomplished through releasing the clamp 66 from engagement with therods 62 and 64 and then sliding the lower rod 64 and the clamp 66relative to the upper rod 62. In the phantom line position of FIG. 7,the support means 60 is shown in an extended position in which it has agreater length in comparison with the solid line position.

Referring to FIGS. 11l4, there is shown another form of the telescopingsupport means of the present invention in which the outer surface of anupper rod 80 (see FIG. 12) has grooves 82 formed in a longitudinal areaon its lower portion. The upper rod 80 slidably receives a hollow lowerrod 84, which has grooves 86 formed in a longitudinal area on its innersurface in its upper portion. The longitudinal areas on the rods 80 and84 extend for less than half of the circumferences of the rods 80 and84. The hollow lower rod 84 is formed with a longitudinal openingextending for its entire length and a cutaway area to accommodate aclamp 88 in the same manner as the lower hollow rod 64 of the embodimentof FIGS. 6 to 10 if formed.

Accordingly, when the grooves 86 engage with the grooves 82 due to theclamp 88 engaging the rods and 84, there is an interlocking relationformed therebetween since the grooves 82 and 86 are V-shaped as shown inFIGS. 14 and 13, respectively. This produces an increased frictionalcontact, which is even greater than that formed by the depressions 68and 70.

Since the remainder of the assembly of the lower hollow rod 84 on theupper rod 80 is the same as for the embodiment of FIGS. 6-10, it willnot be described in detail. The clamp 88 engages larger areas of theupper rod 80 in the same manner as the clamp 66 engages the areas 75 and78 of the upper rod 62.

While the present invention has described the frictional or roughenedsurfaces as being on both the upper and lower rods of the embodiments ofFIGS. 6-10 and FIGS. 11-14, it should be understood that only one of theupper and lower rods could have the roughened or frictional surfacesthereon if desired. This would produce a frictional contact between theupper and lower rods although not of the same degree.

While the present invention has shown the roughened surfaces as beingformed by depressions or grooves, it should be understood that anysuitable type of roughened surfaces may be employed. It is onlynecessary that the roughened surfaces increase the frictional contactbetween the upper and lower rods.

In FIGS. 15-22 we have illustrated another embodiment of our inventionin which the outer surface of the upper, solid, elongate rod or leg isprovided with elongate flats or side surfaces 102 which extend from alocation 104, which represents the uppermost limit which the top edge106 of the lower rod or leg 112 will assume when in its fully raised orretracted position on rod 100, to the lower end 108 of said rod.

The outer surface 101 of rod 100 between flats 102 includes a pluralityof vertically spaced serrations or grooves 110 ad jacent the lower endthereof, as best illustrated in FIG. 17. Outer surface 101 is on thatside of rod 100 opposite upper horizontal mounting leg 103 which engagesmounting bracket 18.

Uniformily satisfactory results have been obtained in those instanceswherein leg 100 is fabricated from round-bar stock, and wherein flats102 are formed in the sides thereof by any suitable means.

The lower leg 112 comprises a tubular sleeve open along its entirelength to provide a substantially C-shaped member defined by a pair ofsubstantially parallel, flat, laterally spaced sidewalls 114interconnected by end wall 116, wherein the spacing of sidewalls 114 issuch as to slideably engage flats 102 of leg 100. The outer terminaledge of each of sidewalls 114 is provided with an elongate cutawayportion of recess adjacent the upper end of lower leg but spaceddownwardly from the upper end, as best illustrated in FIG. 15.

The recesses 130 are dimensioned whereby to receive a clamp 132 which,as best illustrated in FIG. 20 positively engages not only the spacedsidewalls I14 and end wall 116 of the lower leg, but also portions ofthat side of the lower leg which are opposite to or remote fromserrations 1 10, as at G In the preferred embodiment of the inventionrecess 130 is dimensioned whereby to expose approximately one-half ofthe circumference of the upper leg within the confines of the saidrecess whereby to provide an uninterrupted surface area of the upper legto be engaged directly by portions of the clamp 132.

With particular reference to FIG. 18, it will be noted that the innersurface of end wall 116 of the lower leg is provided with a plurality ofvertically spaced serrations or grooves 118 which are adapted to mesh orinterlock with corresponding serrations or grooves 110 of the upper leg100, as illustrated in FIG. 16.

Uniformily satisfactory results have been obtained in those instances inwhich the upper portion of the end wall of the lower leg has beenflattened as at Q, and wherein the extent of said flattened portion iscoextensive with the serrations or grooves 118 in the innersurface ofsaid end wall.

The kickstand leg illustrated in FIG. will positively remain in anyadjusted position against accidental or unintentional movement, bothlongitudinally and radically. The laterally spaced sidewalls 114 of thelower leg slidably engage the flats 102 of the upper leg whereby topositively prevent relative turning of the lower leg relative to theupper leg incident to adjustment and/or use of the kickstand.

From the foregoing it will be noted that we have provided support meansfor a kickstand, the length of which may be quickly adjusted andpositively held in any position to which it is adjusted.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable bicycle kickstand support comprising:

a first member;

a second member mounted in telescoping relation to said first member;

said second member having a cutaway area;

a clamp surrounding said second member at said cutaway area;

and means to tighten said clamp to engage said first member through saidcutaway area on said second member and to engage said second member tolock said first and second members to each other.

2. An adjustable support set forth in which:

said second member is a hollow tubular sleeve open its entire length;

and said cutaway area in said second member is wider than the openingalong said second member.

3. An adjustable support set forth in claim 2 in which at least one ofthe contacting surfaces of said first and second members is roughened toincrease the frictional contact therebetween.

4. An adjustable support set forth in claim 3 in which the roughenedsurface of at least one of said first and second members if formed bydepressions.

5. An adjustable support set forth in claim 3 in which said cutaway areain said second member exposes at least half of the periphery of saidfirst member.

6. An adjustable support set forth in claim 1 in which each of thecontacting surfaces of said first and second members has grooves thereinto form an interlocking connection between said first and secondmembers.

7. An adjustable kickstand support comprising an upper solid leg and alower hollow leg slidably mounted on the upper leg, said upper legincluding flats on opposite sides thereof, said lower leg comprising atubular C-shaped sleeve including an end wall and a pair of flat,parallel, laterally spaced sidewalls each having an elongate terminaledge remote from said end wall, said sidewalls slidably engaging theflats of the upper leg, an elongate recess provided in the terminaledges of each of said sidewalls, and clamp means embracing said legs atsaid recesses to lock said legs to each other.

8. An adjustable support as called for in claim 7 wherein the upper legand lower leg are each provided with interlocking vertically spacedserrations.

9. An adjustable support as called for in claim 8 wherein the spacedserrations are located in the inner surface of the end wall of the lowerleg, and on an outer surface of the upper leg.

10. An adjustable support as called for in claim 9 wherein the clampmeans engages the end and sidewalls of the lower leg and portions of theupper leg which are exposed between the recesses in the terminal edgesof said lower leg.

11. A kickstand for a two-wheeled vehicle comprising;

a bracket;

means to connect said bracket to a part of the vehicle;

lengthwise adjustable support means pivotally mounted on the bracket forswinging movement between a vehicle supporting position and a retractedposition;

the support means comprising;

a first member pivotally connected to the bracket;

a second member adjustably connected with the first member; one of themembers having a cutaway area formed therein, and locking means on oneof the members and engaging both members, through the cutaway area andlocking them together in adjusted position.

12. The kickstand according to claim 11 in which:

said second member is split along its entire length;

said second member has a cutaway area formed therein;

and a clamp engaging said first member through said cutaway area in saidsecond member.

13. The kickstand according to claim 12 in which said cutaway area insaid second member extends for at least half of the periphery of saidsecond member.

14. The kickstand according to claim 12 in which at least one of thecontacting surfaces of said first and second members is roughened toincrease the fractional contact therebetween.

15. The kickstand according to claim 14 in which the roughened surfaceof at least one of said first and second members is formed bydepressions.

16. The kickstand according to claim 12 in which both of the contactingsurfaces of said first and second members are roughened to increase thefrictional contact therebetween.

17. The kickstand according to claim ll in which the locking means is onthe second member and engages the first member through the cutaway area.

18. The kickstand according to claim 17 in which the locking means is aclamp having means associated therewith to move the clamp intoengagement with the first and second members through the cutaway area.

19. The kickstand as set forth in claim ll wherein the second membertelescopically receives the first member with the cutaway area formed inthe second member and the locking means being mounted on the secondmember.

20. The kickstand according to claim 11 in which the first and secondmembers having contacting surfaces with at least one of the contactingsurfaces being roughened to increase frictional contact therebetween.

21. The kickstand according to claim 20 in which the roughened surfaceof at least one of said first and second members is formed bydepressions.

22. The kickstand according to claim 11 in which the first and secondmembers have contacting surfaces with the surfaces being roughened toincrease frictional contact therebetween.

23. The kickstand according to claim 22 in which the roughened surfaceof each of said first and second members is formed by depressions.

24. The kickstand according to claim 11 in which the first and secondmembers have contacting surfaces thereon, the surfaces having groovesthereon, the grooves providing an interlocking connection between themembers.

1. An adjustable bicycle kickstand support comprising: a first member; a second member mounted in telescoping relation to said first member; said second member having a cutaway area; a clamp surrounding said second member at said cutaway area; and means to tighten said clamp to engage said first member through said cutaway area on said second member and to engage said second member to lock said first and second members to each other.
 2. An adjustable support set forth in which: said second member is a hollow tubular sleeve open its entire length; and said cutaway area in said second member is wider than the opening along said second member.
 3. An adjustable support set forth in claim 2 in which at least one of the contacting surfaces of said first and second members is roughened to increase the frictional contact therebetween.
 4. An adjustable support set forth in claim 3 in which the roughened surface of at least one of said first and second members if formed by depressions.
 5. An adjustable support set forth in claim 3 in which said cutaway area in said second member exposes at least half of the periphery of said first member.
 6. An adjustable support set forth in claim 1 in which each of the contacting surfaces of said first and second members has grooves therein to form an interlocking connection between said first and second members.
 7. An adjustable kickstand support comprising an upper solid leg and a lower hollow leg slidably mounted on the upper leg, said upper leg including flats on opposite sides thereof, said lower leg comprising a tubular C-shaped sleeve including an end wall and a pair of flat, parallel, laterally spaced sidewalls each having an elongate terminal edge remote from said end wall, said sidewalls slidably engaging the flats of the upper leg, an elongate recess provided in the terminal edges of each of said sidewalls, and clamp means embracing said legs at said recesses to lock said legs to each other.
 8. An adjustable support as called for in claim 7 wherein the upper leg and lower leg are each provided with interlocking vertically spaced serrations.
 9. An adjustable support as called for in claim 8 wherein the spaced serrations are located in the inner surface of the end wall of the lower leg, and on an outer surface of the upper leg.
 10. An adjustable support as called for in claim 9 wherein the clamp means engages the end and sidewalls of the lower leg and portions of the upper leg which are exposed between the recesses in the terminal edges of said lower leg.
 11. A kickstand for a two-wheeled vehicle comprising; a bracket; means to connect said bracket to a part of the vehicle; lengthwise adjustable support means pivotally mounted on the bracket for swinging movement between a vehicle-supporting position and a retracted position; the support means comprising; a first member pivotally connected to the bracket; a second member adjustably connected with the first member; one of the members having a cutaway area formed therein, and locking means on one of the members and engaging both members, through the cutaway area and locking them together in adjusted position.
 12. The kickstand according to claim 11 in which: said second member is split along its entire length; said second member has a cutaway area formed therein; and a clamp engaging said first member through said cutaway area in said second member.
 13. The kickstand according to claim 12 in which said cutaway area in said second member extends for at least half of the periphery of said second member.
 14. The kickstand according to claim 12 in which at least one of the contacting surfaces of said first and second members is roughened to increase the fractional contact therebetween.
 15. The kickstand according to claim 14 in which the roughened surface of at least one of said first and second members is formed by depressions.
 16. The kickstand according to claim 12 in which both of the contacting surfaces of said first and second members are roughened to increase the frictional contact therebetween.
 17. The kickstand according to claim 11 in which the locking means is on the second member and engages the first member through the cutaway area.
 18. The kickstand according to claim 17 in which the locking means is a clamp having means associated therewith to move the clamp into engagement with the first and second members through the cutaway area.
 19. The kickstand as set forth in claim 11 wherein the second member telescopically receives the first member with the cutaway area formed in the second member and the locking means being mounted on the second member.
 20. The kickstand according to claim 11 in which the first and second members having contacting surfaces with at least one of the contacting surfaces being roughened to increase frictional contact therebetween.
 21. The kickstand according to claim 20 in which the roughened surface of at least one of said first and second members is formed by depressions.
 22. The kickstand according to claim 11 in which the first and second members have contacting surfaces with the surfaces being roughened to increase frictional contact therebetween.
 23. The kickstand according to claim 22 in which the roughened surface of each of said first and second members is formed by depressions.
 24. The kickstand according to claim 11 in which the first and second members have contacting surfaces thereon, the surfaces having grooves thereon, the grooves providing an interlocking connection between the members. 